ken

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Origin, Meaning, And History Of Ken

The name Ken originates in various cultures and languages around the world, including Japanese and Scottish. It is derived from different words with unique meanings, making it a diverse and intriguing name with a rich history.

In Japanese, the name Ken means ‘good health’ or ‘intelligent.’ This name is often used as a given name for boys in Japan.

The name Ken has Celtic origins with a powerful meaning of ‘born of fire’ and ‘handsome.’ It is often used as a short form of Kenneth, Kendrick, Kenan, Kendall, Krenton, and Mackenzie. Despite these variations, Ken remains a strong and distinctive name in itself.

Ken may also have originated from the Anglo-French words ‘ken’ or ‘chen,’ which meant ‘dog’ in Old French (chien). These words were possibly used as nicknames or metonymic names for individuals who owned hunting dogs. Another possible origin is the German word ‘Kenn,’ which could have been a shortened form of the personal name ‘Konrad’ or a reference to a place called Kenn near Trier.

肯还充当habitational name to denote people from Kenn situated in Devon and Avon, both named after streams on which they stand.

肯在国家都由于成为一个家喻户晓的名字d the world after appearing as Ken Carson, the eponymous boyfriend of Barbie. Ken Wheatley is also a popular character in theJurassic Parkseries. The name is also widely popular in Japanese popular culture, and appearing as Ken Kaneki, the protagonist ofTokyo Ghoul, and Ken ‘Acro’ Dingling in the video game seriesAce Attorney.

Ken

heart image
Born of fire or handsome or healthy and strong, also a variation of Kenneth
Boy
Christianity
Japanese
K..Ka..Kaa..Kah..Kam..

How To Pronounce Ken?

Pronounced asken
English

Famous People With The Name Ken

  • KenJapanese musician and singer-songwriter recognized as the guitarist of the renowned Japanese rock band L’Arc-en-Ciel
  • Ken BarrieEnglish voice actor and singer, most notably recognized for performing the theme songs of BBC television programs
  • Ken AkamatsuJapanese manga artist and writer, best known for his popular series, Love Hina and Negima!
  • Kenneth Lauren BurnsAmerican documentary filmmaker known for his style of using archival footage and photographs in his films
  • Kenneth Gene CaminitiAmerican professional baseball player, a three-time All-Star and won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1996

Ken On The Popularity Chart

Although the name maintained consistent popularity, Ken has not performed well on the ranking chart. Find out more by studying these graphs.

Popularity Over Time

Ken has maintained consistent popularity since its inception, reaching its peak in 2004 with 153 babies per million donning the name.

Source:Social Security Administration

Rank Over Time

Although the name appeared higher on the charts in its initial years, Ken dropped down in ranks steadily after reaching its lifetime best rank of 12,911 in 1981.

Source:Social Security Administration

Names With Similar Sound As Ken

Do you like the jingle of the name Ken, but want to find a different name with some other meaning? Here are some interesting similar-sounding names.

Popular Sibling Names For Ken

Other Popular Names Beginning With K

Names With Same Meaning As Ken

Are you dubious about whether Ken is the right choice? There are many names with similar meanings as Ken for your consideration.

Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology

name-numerology-for-ken-boy

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages

In Nautical Flags

ken

In Sign Language

ken

In Braille Alphabet

ken

In Morse Code

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Name Numerology For Ken

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the meaning of the name Ken?

The name Ken means ‘intelligent.’

2. What is the origin of the name Ken?

Ken has Japanese and Scottish origins.

3. How to pronounce the name Ken?

Ken is pronounced as ken.

4. What are some middle names that go well with Ken?

You can use a variety of middle names for Ken. Experiment with names of varying syllables that look good with this first name. You can considerEverett, meaning wild boar, Adriel, meaning God is my lord,Truman, meaning faithful man, Chancey, a contraction of chancellor, andCollier, meaning coal miner.

5. What is the cultural significance of the name Ken in different countries?

The name Ken has significance across different cultures. For instance, in Japanese, Ken translates to healthy or strong. But in English, it is a short form ofKenneth, a Gaelic name meaning handsome or born of fire. Another possible meaning of this name in English is a royal obligation.

6. Is Ken a traditional name or a modern name?

Ken can be regarded as both traditional and modern. It is popularly used as a pet form of longer names like Kenneth,Kendall, and Kenndey. The name is most common among the Asian/Pacific Islander population. Its association with the iconic Barbie doll also gives it a timeless appeal.

7. Is Ken a common name in a specific country or region?

The name Ken is most common among the Asian/Pacific Islander population and white people. This Scottish/Gaelic origin name is popularly used as a short form of longer words likeMackenzie, Kendrick, andKenan.

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